Imran Shafi QC instructed in landmark ‘Encrochat’ preparatory hearing’

March 23, 2021

Imran Shafi QC from Exchange Chambers together with Simon Csoka QC (instructed by Shahid Choudhry of Middleweeks Solicitors) is engaged in the second ‘Encrochat’ preparatory hearing currently before Mr Justice Dove at Manchester Crown Court.

Novel and previously unargued submissions on this complex and technical area of the law are being deployed in this groundbreaking litigation. Imran, together with Simon, is instructed for the lead defendant. By the agreement of all parties including the Judge, Imran and Simon are making the submissions on behalf of all the other defence teams in the two linked operations.

The outcome of this hearing is eagerly awaited by all those involved in Operation Venetic cases where the prosecution seek to rely upon ‘Encrochat’ data.

Imran Shafi QC is a member of the criminal team at Exchange Chambers and was appointed as Queen’s Counsel on 15 March 2021.

This is a continuation from Operation Venetic: Encrochat encryted phone prosecutions:

Imran Shafi QC from Exchange Chambers has been instructed on a private basis by Middleweekes Solicitors, Manchester to represent their client in Operation Embossed. This is a serious multi-kilo class A drugs conspiracy prosecution arising from the wider Operation Venetic.

Operation Embossed has been designated as the lead case in the current and topical ‘encrochat’ prosecutions. A preparatory hearing, expected to take one week, has been listed in November in order to litigate the admissibility of the ‘encrochat’ evidence. It is likely that the matter will thereafter reach the Court of Appeal. The result of these hearings will have the profound and possibly determinative consequences for the other linked prosecutions.